Embassy of the United States, Port of Spain

Embassy of the United States, Port of Spain

Map
LocationTrinidad and Tobago Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Address15 Queen's Park W, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Coordinates10°39′58″N 61°31′1″W / 10.66611°N 61.51694°W / 10.66611; -61.51694
Websitehttps://tt.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of the United States in Port of Spain is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in Trinidad and Tobago. Since the inception of diplomatic ties in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago has become one of the most industrialized nations in the English-speaking Caribbean.[1] The embassy processes about 36,000 visa applications per year.[2]

History

On August 31, 1962, the United States recognized the newly independent Trinidad and Tobago and established the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain the same day. Judge William Henry Hastie, serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, led the U.S. delegation at the independence ceremonies.[3] William H. Christensen was the first to hold the position as chargé d'affaires ad interim at the embassy. Following him, Robert G. Miner became the first U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, presenting his credentials on December 1, 1962.[3]

Football manager Jamaal Shabazz planned to approach the embassy for travel clearance in 2013 for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament to lift travel restrictions imposed on him for his involvement in an attempted coup in 1990.[4][5]

Relocation

On April 27, 2022, US Embassy officials and National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago officials visited the site of Trinidad Country Club in Maraval, drawing speculation that the US Embassy would buy the property.[6] The following day, the US Embassy confirmed it was looking to relocate its embassy within Port of Spain.[7][8] In May, as part of legal proceedings launched by minority shareholders of the Trinidad Country Club over the sale, Trinidad and Tobago Newsday reported that the Trinidad Country Club had been sold to the US Embassy for $316 million.[9] In April 2023, the US Embassy and the seller hosted a signing ceremony at the site to finalize the purchase, with US ambassador Candace Bond stating that the US government would spend more than $400 million to construct the embassy.[10] Bond announced that the 11-acre property would "showcase state-of-the-art and eco-friendly designs and materials".[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago". diplomacy.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ LaVende, Jensen (August 2, 2010). "Anil wants answers from US on visa denials". Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Trinidad and Tobago". history.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Shabazz to approach US Embassy for travel clearance". June 17, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Ian Prescott (June 16, 2013). "Shabazz looks for travel help to the US". T&T Express. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  6. ^ Perez-Sobers, Andrea (April 27, 2022). "Country Club sold to US Embassy". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "US Buys Country Club for New Embassy in T&T". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. April 28, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Embassy confirms plans to relocate, mum on purchase of Country Club | Loop Trinidad & Tobago". Loop News. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Loutoo, Jada (May 20, 2022). "Family feud over Country Club sale goes to court - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday". newsday.co.tt. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "New U.S embassy to cost $2.7 billion". Trinidad Express Newspapers. April 7, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "US$400M to build new US Embassy at Trinidad Country Club site | Loop Trinidad & Tobago". Loop News. Retrieved January 23, 2024.